The first week of May is packed with three Mexican holidays:
Labor Day, May 1; Day of the Cross, May 3; and Cinco de Mayo,
May 5. Only May 1st is a Mexican national
holiday in which schools, banks and some businesses are closed,
the other two are social observances that vary by regional
custom. Here in the Riviera Nayarit these official days are very
understated, no parades or large community celebrations, just
family fiestas and individuals enjoying a day off work.

Labor Day, Primero
de Mayo: Mexico's Labor Day
being observed on May 1st does actually have some meaning behind
it. In 1906, there were labor union uproars and repression in
the cities of Cananea, Sonora and in 1907 in Rio Blanco,
Veracruz. Labor Day in Mexico means no government office works.
There are no banks, postal services, and many restaurants close
as well.

Labor Day isn't
all rest and relaxation, either- in some areas it is used as a
time to peacefully protest against the issues that might arise
with whatever company the particular employees work for. There
are several labor unions that unite together to protest
specifically on this day to get better health benefits, better
treatment, etc. You can see different companies protesting on
main streets and in front of city halls often on Labor Day in
larger cities.

For those who want to drive safely in Mexico
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President of Mexpro Insurance, the leading provider of Auto
Insurance for USA and Canadian vehicles entering Mexico

Other road Logs Updated this month>

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Effective April 13, 2012 the Mexican Immigration procedure for
obtaining/ renewing the FM3 document now requires a different
type of photo-it must be a total of five pictures, 3 from the
front (no smile allowed) and 2 from the side (no earrings or
jewelry allowed). Okay, you are thinking, so it as one
more pic than previously, so what? The big deal is that
the government
demands that the hair be slicked back from the face-no
bangs, no hair in front of the ear. Ohmygod! Ladies, how
many of us have that type of hairstyle??? I nearly fainted when
the photographer came at me with hair pins to flatten and pull
my hair back so that the entire forehead (and in my case, gray
roots) is accented in the close up photo. To add insult to
injury, the photographer also used water to slick all my hair
back, yuck, I look like a concentration camp inmate with shaved
hair! I do not look like me as I have always worn bangs since I
was a girl. For those of us traveling from Riviera Nayarit to
Bucerias with photos we had taken in LaPenita, it is a huge
hassle to have to make another trip with a new set of photos
with the mandated hairstyle, so be aware of the change and get
the photos done in the specified format. With typical
Mexican ingenuity, there are now three photographers immediately
next to the INM office in Bucherias, who for $150-200 Mx will
take the five photos so that you can get back in line to finish
your application. (It's only $60 pesos in LaPenita.) Men
and women must show their hairline in the photos.

Another change at the Bucerias Immigration Office is that now
the office has armed guards and you must obtain a number outside
the office and sign a registration book before you can
speak to a clerk. Beginning in 2011, the FM3 process MUST BE
initiated online (www.inm.gob.mx/)
and a printed copy of the online registration presented to the
clerk. I witnessed several uninformed individuals turned
away (after waiting in line for a turn) because they did not
have the online printout. Also be aware of the time difference
in Bucerias-they lock the gate at precisely 1 p.m.-no matter
that you were in line and had to run to pay the fee at the bank,
get the 4 copies of the payment receipt and were hustling back
to turn in the receipt. Otherwise, the necessary documents are
the same:

Last Saturday 14th, entreamigos had the privilege of
hosting the visit of part of the Young Global Leaders group that
came to Puerto Vallarta for the World Economic Forum. The YGLÂ´s
define themselves as a unique, multistakeholder community of
exceptional young leaders who share a commitment to shaping the
global future. They represent the future of leadership, coming
from all regions of the world and representing business,
government, civil society, arts & culture, academia and media.

The building was full of people from all over the world and
every sector of society: politicians from South America,
journalists from Africa, physicians from Europe, social
entrepreneurs from Asia . everyone trying hard to make a
difference in the world.

After touring entreamigos, these 35 brilliant and inspiring
young minds explored different parts of San Pancho to learn
about the effects of globalization in a small community.

Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico - It
is estimated that the number of foreign retirees currently
residing in Mexico is over 500,000 people. Due to the
climate, cost of living, relaxed lifestyle, and overall
friendliness of the people, it is no wonder many choose
Mexico as their retirement destination.

With baby-boomers reaching
retirement age in the very near future, a handful of forward
thinking Mexican organizations have emerged to meet the
current and future demands of thousands of retirees that
will move to Mexico in the next decade.

One of those organizations
is AMAR: the Mexican Association for Retirement Communities.

The AMAR is a non-profit
group focused on providing quality of life as well as
quality of care for seniors retiring in Mexico. The
alignment has based its mission in freedom, trust,
well-being, and security for retirees making their future
home in Mexico.

AMAR's mission is to
encourage the development of the senior living market and to
continually improve the standards among retirement
communities in Mexico. The organization acts as a bridge
between the communities of expatriates in Mexico, and the
bureaucrats that they must interact with, such as
governmental officers at every level and providers of goods
and services.

The full schedule is now available at
FestivalDeMayo.org and includes a wide range of
activities for all tastes, many of which are offered
free of charge.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- The Province of Quebec is the guest of honour at this
year's Festival Cultural de Mayo in Guadalajara. Various
artists from Quebec will be participating in this year's
Festival in the areas of dance, music and visual arts, with
a focus on the province's renown for contemporary circus
arts and street performance.

Performers of note include Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, Les
Violons du Roy and Les 7 Doigts de la Main, plus many
others! The full schedule is now available at
FestivalDeMayo.org and includes a wide range of
activities for all tastes, many of which are offered free of
charge.

This 15th edition of the Festival Cultural
de Mayo runs from May 11 to 27 and tickets for paid events
will be available at
TicketMaster.com.mx beginning in April.

The Consulate of Canada in Guadalajara
encourages everyone to attend and support our fellow
Canadians during this upcoming event.

President Felipe Calderon said that he will continue to be a
strong supporter of financial inclusion because it is a social
equalizer.

During the launching of the Mobile
Transfer payment system on Thursday, the president said
that financial inclusion is not an issue that is discussed in
depth in Mexico.

According to global figures, he said, more
than 50 percent of people living in developing countries do not
benefit from progress, since they cannot prove their income.

We have analyzed financial inclusion very
little in Mexico, but it is a key factor for equity in
societies. It is fundamental for promoting social justice and a
more efficient economy. It is calculated that 47 percent of
people living in developing countries don't have access to
formal financial services, he said ."..go
to original article

Popocatepetl is Spewing Steam and rock

Authorities raised alert level to high
yellow

Hot liquid magma? Not a good thing, and
even less so when the volcano rumbling with indigestion lies
just a couple dozen miles from one of the most populous cities
on Earth.

For the past few months, the Popocatpetl
volcano southeast of the capital has been been spewing chunks of
flaming, incandescent rock and burping up clouds of hot white
ash and steaming gray vapors.

At night, residents can see the glowing
peak of the snow-capped volcano locals call El Popo.
It is very dramatic to witness the Earth's most elemental forces
reveal themselves. It is also a little bit freaky, in a Krakatoa
kind of way. ."..go
to original article

Hispanic voters key to US Election

With the GOP presidential nomination no
longer in doubt, President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney this
week are urgently turning their focus to Hispanic voters , a
group whose alienation from Republicans threatens GOP prospects
for winning the White House and has given the Obama campaign an
early opportunity to lock in the support of a key constituency.

Sensing a chance to exploit the disconnect,
the Obama re-election campaign is accelerating its efforts to
reignite the intensity that brought out Latino voters in record
numbers four years ago.

The Republican nominee-to-be and his party
are looking to repair relations by dispatching organizers to
critical states and by reminding Hispanics that the
administration has not lived up to its promises on immigration
reform. ...go
to original article

Riviera Maya is the ultimate Mexican
destination for modern luxury and ancient history

Mayan temples, eco-friendly resorts and
miles of pristine beaches are all waiting

From miles of pristine white sandy beaches
to impressively eco-friendly resorts, ancient Mayan temples,
snorkeling, scuba diving and cave diving, Mexico's hip Riviera
Maya has it all â€” and, for those with kids in tow, there are
even direct flights.

Here are our recommendations for making the
most of it.

What To Do

Riviera Maya scores high when it comes to
having tour operators who can point out its many unique aspects.
For families seeking fun-filled days with activity levels suited
to the needs of all, the convenience of booking through such an
operator cannot be overstated. Our top picks ...go
to original article

Report: Wal-Mart hushed up bribe network in
Mexico

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. hushed up a vast
bribery campaign that top executives of its Mexican subsidiary
carried out to build stores across that country, according to a
published report.

The New York Times reported Saturday that
Wal-Mart failed to notify law enforcement officials even after
its own investigators found evidence of millions of dollars in
bribes. The newspaper said the company shut down its internal
probe despite a report by its lead investigator that Mexican and
U.S. laws likely were violated. ...go
to original article

Mexican group mixes ancestral music with
Beatles melodies

More than 50 young Mixtec Indians gave a
concert in the western Mexican city of Guadalajara, in which
they fused their ancestral musical tradition with melodies made
famous by the legendary British rock group The Beatles.

With instruments typical of the Mixtec culture rooted in the
southern state of Oaxaca, such as the tuba and accordion, the
members of the Yaandavi Symphonic Orchestra on Friday performed
songs like "Yesterday" and "All You Need Is Love" in the Pedro
Arrupe Auditorium at Iteso Jesuit University ...go
to original article

Great white shark caught by fishermen in
Mexico

Two fishermen in Mexico have landed
themselves a large and unusual catch - a great white shark
almost 20ft (six metres) in length.

The 2,000lb (900kg) shark was dead when it
was accidentally caught in nets from the Sea of Cortez off
Sonora state.

They feared that if the great white had
been alive, it would have overpowered them and their small boat.
...go
to original article

Canadian-born Van't Schip named Chivas
Guadalajara coach

John van't Schip has been named the new
coach of Mexican club Guadalajara Chivas.Van't Schip, born in
Fort St.
John Canada, was picked by compatriot and former Barcelona coach
Johan Cruyff who has been serving since February as an adviser
to the slumping club. Van't Schip replaces Ignacio Ambriz, who
resigned earlier this week after not receiving a contract for
next season. ...go
to original article

A
CHALLENGE FROM THE MARGARITA CHALLENGE!

The
Margarita Challenge has donated $20,000 pesos to help Marianna
receive her 2nd hip replacement and is challenging other
individuals, groups of individuals or organizations to help meet
the goal of $20,000 pesos!

Many of you may know Marianna as she sells her art and
leather goods at the Tianguis in La Penita and Guayabitos.

Marianna is a vibrant young woman who just turned 50 this spring
and who struggles to walk, using crutches to help with balance.
Her back is straining to compensate and Marianna is in constant
pain.

The
hip operations was long overdue but Marianna was unable to have
the replacement done due to the on-set of breast cancer 5 years
ago. One of her breasts was removed. Last spring Marianna
received the good news from the doctors that she was free from
cancer and could go ahead to have her hips replaced.

However,
the prosthesis alone cost $41,124 pesos plus additional expenses
such as X-rays, blood analysis, transportation to and from
Guadalajara, medications and electro-cardio gram. The cost
of the hospital and specialist were minimal but in total, an
impossible amount of money for Marinna and her husband,
Cristobal to save.

The
Margarita Challenge along with members of this community came
forth to help. A special thanks to the Margarita Challenge
who donated $25.100 pesos to help purchase the first prosthesis
and to successfully receive her first hip replacement!

Marianna
urgently needs her 2nd hip done before permanent damage occurs
to her spine. Due to the pain, Marianna twists her body as she
walk The specialist wants her to have it done as soon as
possible. She has no money and needs to raise at least
$50,000 pesos of which $41,000 pesos is the cost of the
prothesis. The other $9,000 pesos are the costs of blood
tranfusions, X-Rays, medications and electro-cardiogram.
The cost of the hospital and the specialist are free.

Please consider helping to pay for Marianna’s 2nd hip
replacement! We only need $20,000 more pesos or
approximately $1565.00!!

Two separate, powerful earthquakes rocked
Mexico in an eight hour period yesterday.

A strong earthquake struck in the mountains
of western Mexico on Wednesday, shaking buildings more than 200
miles away in Mexico City and sending people rushing out of
offices onto the streets ...go
to original article

Mexico to Raise Minimum Drinking Age?

If the Ecologist Green Party of Mexico (PVEM)
has its way, Mexican law will exclude anyone under the age of
twenty-one from buying alcohol or tobacco, legally, in this
country.

The PVEM is one of the six political
parties to have representation in the Mexican Congress and it's
congressional strength currently stands at 17 elected deputies
(out of 500) and five (out of 128) elected senators ..

BuendÃ­a & Laredo, the company that
conducted the survey, interviewed 1,000 people in 125 different
electoral zones in the country between March 30 and April 3.
Mexico's presidential election will take place on July 1 ..

Mexico's state oil company Pemex has filed
a fresh lawsuit against a dozen oil companies including units of
Royal Dutch Shell Plc, alleging they sold fuel stolen by drug
gangs, U.S. court filings show.

Pemex filed the new complaint in a court in
the Southern District of Texas on April 10, after a judge ruled
Mexico's oil monopoly could not add the Shell subsidiaries and
other companies, including ConocoPhillips, to an original claim
filed in 2010 .

A video "mockumentary" that shows children
as kidnappers, corrupt cops and drug traffickers has sparked a
fierce debate in violence-torn Mexico, with some people calling
it a needed wake-up call while others described it as political
manipulation or even child abuse.

Kids playing the role of businessmen,
criminals and corrupt officials are seen robbing, paying bribes
and shooting it out in a mock Mexico made up entirely of
children, all to the deceptively laid-back tune of the 1970s
ballad "Una Manana," or "One Morning." ..

Foreign Affairs defends Ottawa's response
to Canadian jailed in Mexico

Nearly every day Cynthia Vanier lines up in
a Mexican prison to place a collect call home to her parents in
Brampton. The chats are short, sometimes emotions run high and
there's always an effort to keep everyone's spirits up.

But nearly five months after she was
jailed, her family says it's hard to stay positive when Canada
has done so little to help one of its own citizens .

Mexico's presidential front-runner huddled
with advisers Thursday to respond to a negative campaign ad by
the ruling party that calls him a "liar" and strikes at the
heart of a successful message that he produces results.

The ad by the National Action Party shows a
polluted lake and an unfinished bridge among the list of 608
projects that Enrique Pena Nieto says he completed during his
term as the Institutional Revolutionary Party governor of Mexico
state.

reports,
UPS Cross Border Connect is a ground freight service that
bundles UPS's transportation and customs brokerage expertise
north and south of the border. It is a contractual service that
uses the trucking network that supports UPS's North American Air
Freight service ..go
to original article

Mexican Catholics laud expansion of
religious rights

The Archdiocese of Mexico City has praised
a majority decision by Senators and legislators to reform the
Mexican Constitution to broaden religious freedom in the
country.

In a March 27 statement, the archdiocese
praised the reform of articles 24 and 40 in the local
constitution, which acknowledge religious freedom as a
"fundamental" human right.

The archdiocese noted that local archbishop
Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera "has said on various occasions"
that strengthening religious freedom "benefits our citizens
first of all, whether they are believers or not, and only
secondly the institutions comprised of them." .

Call it the Michoacan Plus Syndrome.
Exposed during last fall's elections in the Mexican state of
Michoacan, kidnappings and other crimes against actual or
potential political candidates are now surfacing in Mexico's
state and federal elections scheduled for July 1.

In a recent meeting with the Interior Ministry, leaders of the
Progressive Movement coalition denounced violent attacks and
threats against their members and candidates in seven of
Mexico's states including Quintana Roo, Guerrero, Durango, Nuevo
Leon, Jalisco, Morelos and Michoacan ..

The producer of a new film that brings to
life the fight against the Mexican government's persecution of
Catholics in the 1920s says there are clear parallels to today's
situation in the United States and elsewhere.

"I think what we are living now is the same
things that happened at that time, and after you watch the movie
you will see there are a lot of topics that are very alive right
now," Pablo Jose Barroso, producer of "For Greater Glory," told
EWTN News on March 21.

"For Greater Glory" - formerly called "Cristiada"
- charts the history of Mexico's Cristero War that was sparked
by anti-clerical legislation being passed by the Mexican
President ElÃ­as Calles in 1926. Those laws banned religious
orders, deprived the Church of property rights and denied
priests civil liberties, including the right to trial by jury
and the right to vote ..

RV Insurance Provider Announces New Specialty
RV Coverage

RV Insurance Professionals, a division of
International Insurance Group, Inc, reminds RV'ers that many
traditional auto insurers do not offer some very important
Specialty RV Coverage options that have recently become
available including for visitors to Mexico.

Flagstaff, AZ (PRWEB)

RV Insurance Professionals reminds RV and Travel Trailer
owners to review their current RV policies to ensure that
they have the best coverage available in the marketplace.
Many RV Owners still buy their RV Insurance policies with
traditional Auto Insurance companies, many of whom do not
provide specialized RV coverage , stated Derek Kartchner,
with specialty insurance provider RV Insurance
Professionals, a division of International Insurance Group,
Inc.

Agreed value coverage: removes the questions that may
occur at the time of a loss by locking in the value of the
RV or Travel trailer at the time of insurance purchase. To
qualify an appraisal of the unit must be provided.

Attached Accessories coverage: protects accessories that
may be attached to the RV or travel trailer. This may
include items such as awnings, satellite dishes, and
television antennas.

Diminishing Deductibles coverage: decreases the
deductible year over year until it reaches zero. This
coverage is an excellent option for those with safe driving
records.

Full Timers coverage: works much like personal liability
coverage on a homeowner's policy and provides broad
liability coverage for those who are full time RVers. In
addition, on the property side, coverage for stored personal
contents, and additional living expense coverage is
available with full-timers RV insurance coverage.

Guaranteed loss replacement coverage: an important
coverage that protects against depreciation. If the RV is
older than 5 years, and has a total loss, then the purchase
price of the unit will be paid.

Mexico physical damage coverage: extends the territory on
an RV or Travel Trailer policy to include coverage in Mexico
for comprehensive and collision.

Purchase Price Protection coverage: guarantees
reimbursement of the entire purchase price of the RV or
travel trailer in the event of a total loss.

Personal Property Replacement Cost coverage: provides for
replacement without regard to depreciation for personal
effects in the RV .

Towing and Labor coverage: provides assistance in the
event of an RV breakdown. Services such as battery
jumpstarts, fuel delivery, flat tire change, locksmith
service, winching and towing for mechanical or electrical
breakdown are available.

The RV Insurance Professionals encourage RV and Travel
Trailer owners to review their current policies to determine
if these coverage options are included.

A friend was recently venting her frustration with gardening,
These plants were just gorgeous when I bought them at the
Thursday market, but a week after I planted them in the ground,
the plants were shriveled and ugly. I am just not a gardener!
I encouraged her to not give up gardening but to remember the
cardinal rule for selecting plants: always consider the big
four' growing needsof the plant: the preferred soil
composition, the amount of sun required, nighttime temperature
tolerance, and the amount of water needed. Match the plant with
its preferred conditions and it will thrive.

In training to become a master gardener, the course begins with
learning about soil composition. In fact, all US county master
gardener centers offer free soil testing. Knowing the makeup of
your soil guides your plant selection and leads to how to amend
the soil to make it more suitable for growing healthy plants and
trees. Soil composition is one reason why a particular
geographic area has native grass as opposed to pine forests,
etc. It is also why there is such a variance in the types
of commercial potted soil sold. The chemical makeup of a given
soil is often the most important determining factor of whether a
plant will flourish or struggle, or even of if it will grow at
all. Salt content in soil is one consideration that can
significantly affect plant growth, as salt primarily affects the
way plants absorb moisture from soil. In excessively saline
soils (such as in our coastal region,) it takes more energy for
the plant to absorb the same amount of water than moisture
uptake would require in non-saline soils. Because the energy the
plant uses to absorb the water is diverted away from building
new growth on the plant, soil salinity often becomes apparent as
stunted new growth, leaf wilting and similar symptoms. Some
plants that have a particular
sensitivity can suffer a toxic reaction in saline soils.

EXPANDING ON THE SUCCESS OF THE LOS AMIGOS RECYCLING PROGRAM
Los Amigos' recycling program, partly funded by the Jaltemba Bay
La Penita Rotary Club grant, now collects over 3,500 kilos of
plastic per month. Local volunteers are no longer able to
manage the volume. The operations side of the program will
now be sub-contracted to a third party collection company,
specializing in the processing of recycled plastic. As per
the grant, Los Amigos will continue to administer the program's
containers, education and marketing.

THANK YOU CALIFORNIA ROTARY DISTRICT 5130 AND MIDDLETOWN ROTARY
California Middletown Rotary and California District Rotary 5130
have done it again! Following on the success of their Los
Amigos Recycling grant and their Zacualpan high school grant (
remodel including computer lab and commercial kitchen lab),
CONALEP high school has received a much needed grant for
computers. Eddie Dominguez made the announcement at the La
Jaltemba Bay La Penita Rotary meeting. The grant will provide 20
new computers, a new computer lab and 5 new computers for the
school library. The local La Penita club will raise
$4,000.00 as their participation in the grant funding. The
school's parents and teachers will be required to raise 20%.
Your donations at work!

CONALEP STUDENTS CARRY THEIR LEADERSHIP TRAINING FORWARD
The momentum was started in the Jaltemba Bay La Penita Rotary
Club's Learning for Life grant provided by Kalispell Montana
Rotary Club. Forty CONALEP students learned key leadership
concepts coming out of their three leading-edge leadership work
shops. The local students have formed The CONALEP
Community Club which will identify six to eight community
projects. Congratulations future leaders of Jaltemba Bay!
Stay posted for more progress information.

TWO ROTARY PRESIDENTS GO TO PET INTERNATIONAL
Jaltemba Bay La Penita Rotary Club's president-elect,
Abraham, and president elect-elect, Octaviano, attended the
Rotary International PET officer training in Tepic last week.
Rotary's theme for this coming year will be Peace Through
Service. The two in-coming presidents were able to meet
their counter-parts and get to know about the objects of Rotary
going forward. Stay posted as these two Rotary leaders
will be very active in the next two years.

The Aztec Empire of 1519 was the most powerful Mesoamerican
kingdom of all time. The
multi-ethnic, multi-lingual realm stretched for more than 80,000
square miles through many parts of what is now central and
southern Mexico. This enormous empire reached from the Pacific
Ocean to the Gulf coast and from central Mexico to the
present-day Republic of Guatemala. Fifteen million people,
living in thirty-eight provinces and residing in 489
communities, paid tribute to the Emperor Moctezuma II in
Tenochtitlan, the capital city of the great empire.

The Mexica (pronounced "me-shee-ka") Indians, the dominant
ethnic group ruling over the Aztec Empire from their capital
city at Tenochtitlan in the Valley of Mexico, had very obscure
and humble roots that made their rise to power even more
remarkable. The Valley of Mexico, which became the heartland of
the Aztec civilization, is a large internally-drained basin
which is surrounded by volcanic mountains, some of which reach
more than 3,000 meters in elevation.

I have an FMM, I need to fly
back home for a quick trip. Can I leave my car while I'm gone?
Not without special permission. You must surrender your FMM at
the airline check-in counter. When you give up that FMM, your
car becomes illegal. Go to an Aduana (customs) office and ask
them what to do. You will find Aduana offices at all border
crossings and ports of entry (sea ports and international
airports.)

If I leave my car behind,
who can drive it while I'm gone?
Read here. You
should be sure your insurance policy allows others to drive your
car. Personally, I think it is a very bad idea. If your friend
has an accident without your being there to deal with the police
and insurance adjuster, your friend (and later you) may have a
big problem. It should be OK, but I would not count on it.

Two years after the worst offshore oil
spill in U.S. history, Mexico's state oil company is about to
test its hand at drilling at extraordinary depths in the Gulf of
Mexico.

If all goes as planned, Petroleos de
Mexico, known as Pemex, will deploy two state-of-the-art
drilling platforms in May to an area just south of the maritime
boundary with the United States. One rig will sink a well in
9,514 feet of water, while another will drill in 8,316 feet of
water, then deeper into the substrata ..go
to original article

San Marcos National Fair, Aguacalientes,
Mexico

For 184 years the city of Aguacalientes,
capital of the state of Aguacalientes, the land of clear
water, clear skies, fertile land, and good people, as
stated in the motto on its coat of arms. Has hosted what has
come to be called the Festival of Mexico. The San Marcos
National Fair. This year it will begin on April 20th and run
until May 13th. The party gets started with the coronation of
Ana Cristina I , the elected queen of the fair. The
inaugural race occurs on Sunday, the 22nd at the eastern gate of
the San Marcos Gardens.

The fair has several expositions and
highlights both a state of Mexico and foreign nation. This year,
the state of Tamaulipas and the country of Japan are the stars
of the fair. There is also a pavilion for the Federal District,
as well as expositions highlighting industry, arts and crafts
and Hidrocalidad , highlighting local goods. ..go
to original article

Discover Mexico's Semana Santa and its
specialty cuisine

(+ Pambazo recipe)

It is truly a beautiful time of year to be
in Mexico, important religious images are displayed, altars are
decorated at home and in the streets, and flower decorations and
palm crosses are everywhere. Semana Santa (Holy Week) begins
with Domingo de Ramas (Palm Sunday) and lasts Easter Sunday or
Pascua. Since, according to the Vatican Insider, nearly 90% of
Mexicans are Catholic, Holy Week is one of the important
holidays, second only to Christmas. It is also the end of the
period of sacrifices,
Lent, which began this year on Ash Wednesday, February 22.

Food historian Jeffrey Pilcher, in his
book, Que Vivan Los Tamales, offers this scene in Mexico from
the 1800â€²s era memoirs of Guillermo Prieto. From Holy
Thursday to Easter Sunday throngs of people danced through the
streets, in a movable feast of popular cuisine. Thirsty revelers
guzzled aguas frescas, refreshing waters flavored with
pineapple, melon, tamarindo, and chia seeds, dispensed by women
from palm-frond and flower-decorated stands . ..go
to original article

Week of Gaffes Forces Rethink for Mexico
Candidate

The presidential candidate of Mexico's
governing party canceled a rally and called an emergency meeting
of her political team Thursday after her first six days of
campaigning were marred by gaffes.

On March 30, Josefina Vasquez Mota misspoke
during a speech and said she planned to "strengthen money
laundering" if elected.

The next day, a campaign rally had to be
called off because of a nearby picket line of striking airline
workers â€” a cancellation her staff blamed on poor planning. ..go
to original article

Mexico's controversial gangster ballads

The name of Aaron Lopez's band Los Astros
del Cristo Rey â€” meaning the Stars of Christ the King â€” drew
inspiration from a towering statue of Christ here in Mexico's
conservative Catholic heartland northwest of the liberal capital
city.

By day, the name fits: the trio sings
"corridos," or ballads, about the region and the Christ statue
for visitors arriving at the hilltop site. After hours, the
group moonlights in local bars and cantinas, singing about less
Godly topics: drug-cartel kingpins and their illegal exploits.
..go
to original article

Texas Opposes Giving River Water To Mexico

Texas officials are opposing a federal
commission's decision to give Mexico water from the Rio Grande
despite a historic drought that has severely depleted Texas
water resources.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples
and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Commissioner
Carlos Rubinstein say they're challenging a decision by the
International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to give
Mexico water. They said Wednesday that they're asking President
Barack Obama to intervene. ..go
to original article

The figures were provided by Alejandro Rosas Solis, deputy
director of sexual and reproductive health at the health
secretariat's National Center for Equity, Gender and
Reproductive Health.

"A teen pregnancy is considered high risk due to the immaturity
of the (adolescent's) body, which puts them at risk of
pre-eclampsia or haemorrhages, conditions that are among the
main causes of maternal mortality," the expert said ..go
to original article

US, Mexican leaders trade warnings on gun
violence

The explosion of drug-fueled violence along
Mexico's border with the United States could harm relations
between the two nations, President Barack Obama said Monday;
Mexico's leader retorted that much of the problem of drugs and
guns begins on the U.S. side of the line.

In the thick of political contests in both
the United States and Mexico, Obama and Mexican President Felipe
Calderon traded unusually direct claims about the cause and
effect of the drug violence that has consumed a swath of
northeastern Mexico. They were cordial and complimentary to one
another, but did not hide the degree of worry on both sides
about a six-year spasm of violence that has killed more than
47,000 people.

"It can have a deteriorating effect overall
on the nature of our relationship," Obama said. "And that's
something that we have to pay attention to." ..go
to original article

Navy will stay on streets: Pena Nieto

On Wednesday, the Committed to Mexico
Alliance presidential candiate, Enrique Pena Nieto, promised
that the Navy will maintain surveillance in Veracruz and, if
necessary, in all regions of the country, until security is
reestablished.

On the fifth day of the presidential race,
the priista visited the port of Veracruz, where he held a press
conference in a restaurant, the Cafe de la Parroquia. There,
Pena Nieto signed his thirteenth campaign promise regarding
security, which states that if he wins the July 1 elections,
Mexico's navy will continue to maintain surveillance in the
streets of Veracruz. ..go
to original article

Subway opened recently in Rincon de
Guayabitos to mixed reviews...everything from "great healthy
food" to "its destroying our way of life here." Tell us what
you think?
editor@jaltembasol.com

Jalisco, Mexico - Poorly cared
for and threatened by pollution, Jalisco's agave growing
region is in danger of losing its status as a world heritage
site.

The United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) added Jalisco's "Agave Landscape and Ancient
Industrial Facilities of Tequila" to its World Heritage List
in 2006.

But the area has become
threatened, with businesses in the protected area not
fulfilling their obligations to treat sewage, and also by
local authorities approval for the installation of a
landfill site in Amatitan.

Candidates for the state
governorship, Jorge Aristoteles Sandoval Diaz and Enrique
Alfaro Ramirez, have both voiced their concerns this week.

"Losing recognition would
entail a loss of global prestige and would also hinder any
attempt by the state of Jalisco to seek further
designations," said Sandoval.

SAN DIEGO (CN) - A Las Vegas man was
sentenced to two years in federal prison for smuggling iguana meat into
the United States, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Eliodoro Soria Fonseca, 38, admitted that he entered the United States
from Mexico in June 2011 "with several coolers stuffed with iguana meat,
concealed under fish," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement
announcing the sentencing.

"Officers with Customs and Border Protection at the Otay Mesa Port of
Entry ultimately searched the coolers, and found the beheaded, skinned,
and deboned bodies of 115 iguanas (weighing 159 pounds) concealed
inside. Fonseca acknowledged as part of his guilty plea that he
intentionally concealed the iguana meat, which he knew he should declare
to United States authorities," prosecutors said in the statement.

The green iguana (Iguana iguana) is protected by the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The CITES Appendix II
list, which includes the iguana, covers species that are not yet
endangered but may become threatened if trade in them is not controlled.

Harking back to a less sophisticated time, small family circuses
live a nomadic life driving on the rural serpentine, two lane
highways throughout Mexico, pitching their tents in dusty fields
in small towns. It used to be a BIG event: something
out-of-the-ordinary, excitement for the sleepy, isolated
villages that welcomed any entertainment besides walking down
main street on a Saturday night. But in the age of satellite TV
and internet, the traveling circus pales compared to the high
tech movies now available right at home. Presently, the once
glamorous life of a circus performer is just a lot of hard work
to barely make ends
meet.
This original reality' entertainment is a dying art.

But the circus tradition still touches audiences: to young
children even an ordinary llama, camel or monkey is a delight.
This week La Penita was home for not just the Continental Circus
but the Ponderosa de Venezuela Circus. The audience was mostly
families or grandparents with children-look at the anticipation
in the girls' eyes (left photo) as they waited in line to attend
a recent circus performance While an adult sees a threadbare,
home-made costume, a child sees the glamorous outfit of a
real-life Barbie doll. The children cried Ohhhhh! as
the acrobats performed overhead amid the spotlights-it was
Spiderman live! While a pony might be ordinary if grazing
in a field, tricked out with feathers in its halter, bathed in
colored spotlights and accompanied by upbeat music with a
handler in sequins, it is a magical creature. The
slap-stick antics of the clowns needed no translation- it's
comical in any language. A modern act, two cousins who ride
motorcycle in the Globo de la Muerta (Globe of Death)
defy gravity as they flip upside-down within a metal cage on
growing machines.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Snowbirds will soon be packing up and heading to
destinations north of the Mexican border for the hot and
humid summer season. This is an annual ritual for some, but
for many the process is a new one - and now is the time to
make sure your home or condominium in Puerto Vallarta,
Mexico will remain sound and secure while you are away.

Summer temperatures in the
Banderas Bay region average around 94 degrees, and with very
high humidity this creates an intense environment for a
myriad of property issues that warrant some extra
precautions. It is a good idea to get your villa or condo
prepped to avoid harrowing consequences due to inadequate
planning upon your return.

Don't wait until the last
minute to get ready for the annual migration, you should
give yourself one to two weeks to properly prepare and
Summer proof your winter home.

Here's a checklist of
things to consider before leaving your Bay of Banderas home
for the summer. All these suggestions may be used or just a
few of them. Some people do everything right and still
return to storm or water damage. You really cannot control
Mother Nature.

Benito Juarez's birthday on March 21st calls for celebration in
Mexico, with schools and banks closed. Benito Juarez was one of
Mexico's most loved presidents for the way he lead the country:
he defied the French occupation, brought the country up to
modern standards, and really started the country towards liberal
thinking.
Benito Juarez is honored as Mexico's first indigenous president
and a founding father of Mexico's constitution.

Most often associated with the Burgundy Districts of France,
Pinot Noir is considered to be a finicky grape, very particular
about climate and soil types. These factors lead to a somewhat
limited production that often translates to higher cost.

The wine while red, is of a lighter color than most reds. Pinot
is much lower in tannin and of a lighter body than a Cabernet or
Merlot making it a good choice for those just starting to
explore red wines.
Pinot typically has a very fruity (think berries) flavor and
aroma and smooth, silky mouth feel. Pinot Noir is not noted for
ageing well due to its lighter body and lower tannin content and
is at its prime between 3 to 8 years.

Pinot Noir is likely the most versatile red wine and will pair
well with most any meal making it an excellent wine to keep on
hand.

While not a wildly popular wine here in Mexico, La Bodega keeps
a few selections of Pinot Noir in stock.

In the USA
and Canada, the line between a motel and a hotel is sometimes
blurry. This is not the case in Mexico; here they are distinctly
different. Hotels frequently do not have secure parking; motels
always do. Hotels us

ually
cost more than motels, sometimes much more. Hotels often have
restaurants, motels almost never do. Many motels can be found on
the highway near a town or city, while hotels are usually
located near the city center. But the big difference is in the
purpose of each.

Some
background: In Mexico it is common for two, three, or even four
generations to share the same house, sometimes even the same
bedroom. In such a situation, it is difficult for a couple to
find a private time to be intimate. Motels provide a place for
couples to get together when they have no other place to do so.
They are not brothels.

The proper
name of these establishments is Motel de Paso, but the more
common name is just motel. It always will have a covered garage
attached to each unit. The cover may be a regular garage door or
it may be a heavy canvas curtain. The facility is complete
walled off from the outside except for a single entrance/exit
which is staffed 24/7. This combination provides very good
security for your car. Units are typically not rented in 24 hour
blocks like hotels, but rather in shorter blocks -- anywhere
from 4 to 8 hours. Some of them are rather plain and not very
expensive, some are truly elegant and priced accordingly. Prices
typically range from US$15 to $25, more for an up-scale place.

What
Options are Needed on your RV
Insurance Policy for Mexico?

At
Mexpro.com, coverage options
are offered that are
generally not available on a
standard auto policy. The
following are descriptions
of their specialty coverage

Vacation Liability:
Provides general liability
coverage while the RV is
used as a vacation
residence. This coverage
will follow you on your
travels, from one campsite
to the next RV lot. It will
also cover the perimeter of
your campsite to protect you
against any kind of incident
you may be legally
responsible for. If you are
a Full-Timer, we would
replace this Vacation
Liability with Full-Timer
Liability.

Emergency Expense:
Pays for temporary living
facilities, transportation,
and cost of returning the RV
in the event of covered loss
more than 50 miles from
home.

Diminishing (or
Disappearing) Deductible:
By adding this optional
coverage, your deductible is
reduced by 25% following
each claim-free policy term.
Click here to read more

The Heroes of Jaltemba Bay Spay & Neuter
Clinic: Improving the Quality of Life for
Local Animals

Mexico
City, Mexico - If the Ecologist
Green Party of Mexico (PVEM) has its
way, Mexican law will exclude anyone
under the age of twenty-one from buying
alcohol or tobacco, legally, in this
country.

The PVEM
is one of the six political parties to
have representation in the Mexican
Congress and it's congressional strength
currently stands at 17 elected deputies
(out of 500) and five (out of 128)
elected senators.

The
party has proposed that Mexico pattern
after the US in elevating the minimum
drinking age from 18 to 21. Facts show
that 23% of all accidents on the roads
involving drunk drivers are caused by
adolescents ranging from age 15 to 24.

The
PVEM also endorses changing the laws so
that no one under 21 years of age would
be able to buy tobacco, which is
responsible for over 50,000 deaths a
year in Mexico.

Currently,
the federal Chamber of Deputies is
evaluating the proposed reforms to
determine if the General Health Law
should be amended.